Inter-Generational Worship

Why Do We Worship Together?

It is our conviction that God calls us to make our weekly worship service a place for people of all ages. Oftentimes, it can be easy to gravitate towards age-specific spaces and programming to the detriment of ensuring that when the church gathers, the whole church is gathering. The 10:30 am Sunday morning service is the only time when our church truly comes together, so we want to be intentional as we train our children to worship with us.

This is more than a programming decision—it’s a discipleship decision. We believe that when kids see their parent’s and other adults in worship, when they are embraced by their church family, and when faith is talked about at home, they are shown how to become lifelong followers of Jesus.

There are several reasons why we have come to this conviction:

1. We believe it is the Most Biblically Faithful Way to Worship.

Children have always been part of the worshipping people of God. Scripture consistently shows them as present in times of worship, instruction, and community. In Deuteronomy 31:12-13, we find all of Israel, including children, gathered to hear God’s Word. In Joel 2:15-16, we read that children should be included in sacred assemblies. In Ephesians 6:1, Paul addresses children directly, implying their presence in worship gatherings.

Jesus welcomed children. In Matthew 19:13-15, there’s a familiar story. Jesus is out doing ministry, and crowds of people surround him. Some parents approach Jesus with their children as they are seeking a blessing from him. The disciples rebuke the parents, expressing that Jesus has more important things to worry about than their children. But Jesus responds with a rebuke of his own, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus makes it clear that children belong in his presence.

2. We believe it is Essential for the Spiritual Formation of Children.

Children learn by imitation. Being with parents and older believers helps them absorb liturgy, prayer, Scripture, and the rhythms of Christian life. Faith becomes more “caught” than “taught” through modeled behavior. Babies learn to eat before they are old enough to understand nutrition. Toddlers learn to talk before they learn to use their words to communicate.

Children may not understand or fully engage with what happens during a worship service, but over time, the things they are observing will become the things they are participating in.

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

3. We Believe the Church is a Family

The Body of Christ is made up of all generations. Worshiping together models the unity of the church and strengthens discipleship across age lines (1 Corinthians 12). Intergenerational worship fosters a sense of belonging and continuity. Family members of various ages mutually benefit from intergenerational relationships. Children learn from their parents and grandparents as wisdom is handed down. Older generations receive blessings from the new life that comes in the form of children and grandchildren. In the same way, intergenerational worship leads to blessings for the members of God’s family. It encourages mentoring relationships between generations. It brings joy and hope to the senior saints as God brings new life into the assembly. The family of God belongs together.

4. We believe that Children Growing Up with Their Church Family Encourages Life-Long Faithfulness

Research suggests children who grow up in intergenerational worship are more likely to remain active in church as adults because they feel like part of the community, rather than just consumers of age-segmented programming. Below is a brief list of resources that speak to this with key takeaways from each:

Dr. Steve Parr and Dr. Tom Crites – Why They Stay (2015)

  • A key factor for young adults who remained in church into adulthood was regularly attending worship with their parents while growing up.
  • Children who are integrated into the life of the whole church are more likely to feel that they belong—not just to a program, but to a people.

Jana Magruder – Nothing Less (2017)

  • Top predictors for long-term faithfulness include:
    • Attending church with parents
    • Reading the Bible regularly
    • Talking about faith at home

Fuller Youth Institute – Sticky Faith & Growing Young

  • Teens with intergenerational relationships and consistent worship attendance are more likely to have a lasting faith.
  • Having just 5 meaningful adult relationships in church was a major predictor of future faithfulness.

Dr. Holly Catterton Allen – Intergenerational Christian Formation (2023)

  • Worshiping together helps children internalize faith by watching adults pray, sing, give, and respond to God.
  • Intergenerational worship encourages the whole church to grow in empathy, mentorship, and shared identity.

Mark DeVries – Family-Based Youth Ministry (2004)

  • Age-segregated ministry often fails to connect young people to the church as a whole.
  • Parents are the primary disciplers of their children, with the church as their support, not a substitute.

How Do We Intend to Support Families As They Bring Their Children To Worship?

  • We continue to offer nursery care and our Wee Worship children’s church program for kids from birth through kindergarten in the children’s building. Some parents may choose to utilize this option as their young kids continue to learn how to participate in the worship service. Parents who desire to keep their young children with them in the worship service are encouraged to do so.
  • We have a nursing/quiet room available outside of the sanctuary for families whose children may need that space for parts of the service hour.
  • There is a restroom that can be discreetly accessed in the foyer in the back of the sanctuary for those times when a child may not be able to wait until service concludes.
  • We have sensory bags available for our friends who may benefit from a pair of noise-reducing headphones or a fidget to help them remain engaged in worship with us.
  • Each Sunday, we include a children’s message as part of our service. During this time, kids are invited to join one of our pastors down front, where we share a brief message from Scripture that is relevant to them while the rest of the church listens and joins in this time of emphasizing the importance of children as fellow disciples of Jesus.
  • Each Sunday, we provide a Kids’ Bulletin that includes some activities and age-appropriate ways for them to engage in the worship service.
  • We normalize noise in the worship service. We understand that it takes time for kids to learn to participate in the worship service. Parents, please know that we are blessed by reminders that your kids are with us as they talk, move around, and even call out from time to time. Do not be embarrassed. We are thankful you brought your child to be with us as we worship together!

What age-appropriate discipleship is available throughout the week?

While we believe that children belong with the rest of the church as we worship together, we also believe it is important for them to be discipled in settings that are conducive to age-appropriate learning and fellowship.

We offer age-graded Sunday School classes every week at 9:30 am (alongside classes for teens and adults of all ages and life stages). We also have our Wednesday evening activities, which include children’s choirs at 5:30 pm and TeamKID club at 6:00 pm.

Learn more about our programs on our First KIDS Page.